Suriname’s Presidential Advisor, Rashied Doekhi, is advocating for a renewed and strategic partnership between Suriname and India. More than twenty years after his first trip to New Delhi, the veteran politician still fondly remembers Indian hospitality, the timeless appeal of Hindi music, and the aroma of freshly baked naan. His personal connection to India is deep, having visited the country twice and even sharing a stage with the legendary playback singer Mahendra Kapoor during a performance in Suriname. Describing India as an "elder brother," Doekhi believes it is time to upgrade their historic relationship into one defined by concrete economic engagement, mutual investment, and institutional cooperation.

As a senior figure in Suriname’s National Democratic Party, Doekhi frequently reflects on the enduring solidarity between the two nations. He recalled that Suriname's president attended the funeral of former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in 1991, noting that Suriname has never forgotten India's friendship during its own turbulent times.